Tensions flared during the 2025 budget defence of the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday as lawmakers clashed over discrepancies in documents presented by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.
The heated session saw Sen. Onyekachi Nwoebonyi of Ebonyi-North angrily storm out, claiming his privilege had been breached. This followed accusations by Hon. Mark Esset of the House of Representatives that the figures read by the IGP differed from those in committee members’ copies.
Despite attempts by the co-chairman, Hon. Abubakar Makki-Yalleman, to maintain order, the uproar escalated, disrupting the session. In frustration, Sen. Nwoebonyi declared, “I am leaving; this country belongs to all of us,” before exiting.
The chaos overshadowed the IGP’s efforts to defend the budget, which includes plans for five new zonal police headquarters across the country.